Ceramic artists invited to the International Ceramics Festival in Aberystwyth, Great Britain, are selected very carefully. This year, Mateusz Grobelny made the exclusive list of invited guests. As the only artist from Poland, he took part in the major ceramics fair, which was visited by more than 800 professionals from around the world. The artist was accompanied by his assistant, Marta Piróg, a student at the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław, Marta Piróg.
For several years, the artist had presented his kilns at the Bolesławiec Ceramics Festival. Ewa Lijewska-Małachowska, director of BOK-MCC, invited him to Bolesławiec, offering him the opportunity to create his own studio. Grobelny also teaches there. His workshops are attended by people who want to apply to an Academy of Fine Arts, as well as amateurs.
– My main success was the successful presentation of my original project, says Mateusz Grobelny. – My mobile kiln made a huge impression on artists and organizers for three reasons: its mobility, its construction (it stands on legs, is small and economical), and its ease of use. I avoid the major obstacles involved in obtaining various permits, including permission to light the kiln in a public place.
The artists also emphasized other structural advantages of the Polish kiln. The artist installed a soda injector in it (creative glass). This makes it possible to direct a stream of soda onto the fired sculptures and coat them with glaze. This produces an additional aesthetic effect in the fired ceramics.
– Experts in various ceramic-firing methods were impressed that firing in my kiln is so short, Grobelny adds. – The entire process takes 72 hours. In a short time, you can watch the kiln being loaded, lit, fired, and see the result. This is a major, innovative technological achievement. I can say that it was a sensation at the Festival, the artist adds.
We have previously written about Mateusz Grobelny’s mobile kiln: From a Love of Kilns – a Lecture by Mateusz Grobelny. The kiln is registered as a legal trailer vehicle. It weighs 750 kilograms (125 cm deep, 80 cm wide and 110 cm high). It was constructed from silicon matting and lightweight insulating brick. Three days are needed to assemble it, fire the works and dismantle it. A single firing consumes only 4 m³ of wood (normally, 8 m³ is needed).
Mateusz Grobelny has not yet had the opportunity to light the kiln in Bolesławiec, but he promised to present his mobile kiln to the people of Bolesławiec in the autumn of this year.
(information: Grażyna Hanaf)
See also
Website of the International Ceramics Festival in Aberystwyth, Great Britain